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For individuals experiencing back pain from a herniated disc, can understanding the difference between surgery and chiropractic help individuals find the right treatment plan? Surgery or Chiropractic Living with back pain can be a nightmare, and yet many struggle without seeking care. Today, there are a vast number of surgeries and noninvasive techniques that are better at treating spine and back problems and managing symptoms. For individuals who may have a herniated disc or are curious about ways to relieve their back pain, a health care provider, physical therapist, spine specialist, and chiropractor can inform them of treatment options. Surgery and chiropractic therapy are popular treatments for a herniated, bulging, or slipped disc. - A herniated disc is when the cartilage discs that cushion the vertebrae shift out of position and leak out.
- Surgery for a herniated disc involves removing or repairing the disc.
- Chiropractic nonsurgically repositions the disc and realigns the spine.
- Both treatments have the same goals with key differences.
Chiropractic Care Chiropractic is a system of therapy that focuses on adjusting and maintaining spinal alignment to help with back and posture problems. Chiropractors are trained and licensed medical professionals who take a nonsurgical approach, a proven therapy for chronic pain, flexibility, and mobility issues. The Way It Works Chiropractic treatment encourages and supports the body’s natural healing processes. It is considered for joint pain in the back, neck, legs, arms, feet, and hands. It typically involves sessions in which the chiropractor physically and carefully adjusts the vertebrae by hand, also known as spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments. (MedlinePlus. 2023). A chiropractor performs a thorough medical evaluation and runs tests to establish a diagnosis. A chiropractor will develop a treatment plan that may involve a team of massage and physical therapists, acupuncturists, health coaches, and nutritionists to treat affected areas with various techniques, recommend targeted exercises, adjust lifestyle and nutrition to support the treatment, and monitor progress. Combined with stretching and sustained pressure, the multiple methods can increase joint mobility and relieve pain symptoms. (National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health. 2019) Added protocols to support or enhance chiropractic therapy include: - Heating and ice therapies to reduce inflammation and increase blood circulation.
- Using devices to stimulate muscles and nerves electrically.
- Developing relaxation and deep breathing techniques.
- Incorporating exercises to promote rehabilitation.
- Establishing a regular fitness routine.
- Making adjustments to diet and lifestyle.
- Taking certain dietary supplements.
Spinal manipulation and chiropractic adjustments have been shown to improve symptoms and restore mobility in cases of chronic back pain. One review found that individuals with chronic lumbar/low back pain reported significant improvement after six weeks of chiropractic treatment. (Ian D. Coulter et al., 2018) Prices The out-of-pocket expenses of chiropractic treatment depend on various factors. Insurance may or may not cover the treatment, and the amount an individual has to pay can vary based on the severity of their case, what their plan covers, and where they live. One review found the cost can range between $264 and $6,171. (Simon Dagenais et al., 2015) Surgery There is a range of minimally invasive surgical procedures to treat herniated discs. These work to ease nerve compression by removing or replacing damaged discs or stabilizing the vertebrae, relieving pain and inflammation. The Way It Works A herniated disc can happen in any part of the spine but is more common in the lower back/lumbar spine and in the neck/cervical spine. Surgery is recommended when: (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2022) - More conservative treatments, like medications and physical therapy, are unable to manage symptoms.
- The pain and symptoms impact daily life and functioning.
- Standing or walking becomes difficult or impossible.
- The herniated disc causes difficulty walking, muscle weakness, and bladder or bowel control loss.
- The individual is reasonably healthy, without infection, osteoporosis, or arthritis.
Specific surgical procedures used include: Fusion Surgery - Spinal fusion is the most common procedure for a lower back herniated disc.
- It involves using artificial bone material to fuse vertebrae to increase stability and release and prevent nerve irritation and compression. (American Academy of Neurological Surgeons. 2024)
Laminotomy and Laminectomy - Herniated disc symptoms appear from compression placed on the nerves.
- Laminotomy involves making a small cut in the lamina, or the arch of the spinal vertebrae, to release the pressure.
- Sometimes, the entire lamina is removed, known as a laminectomy. (American Academy of Neurological Surgeons. 2024)
Discectomy Artificial Disc Surgery - Another approach involves implanting an artificial disc.
- This is most often used for hernia in the lower spine; the worn or damaged disc is removed, and a specialized prosthetic replaces the removed disc. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2022)
- This allows for more mobility.
The success of herniated disc surgery depends on different factors. Advances in minimally invasive techniques have significantly improved long-term outcomes, with one review finding that around 80% reported good—excellent results at a six-year follow-up. (George J. Dohrmann, Nassir Mansour 2015) However, there is the possibility of recurrence. About 20% to 25% of individuals with herniated lumbar discs experience re-herniation at some point. (American Academy of Neurological Surgeons. 2024) Prices - Surgery for a herniated disc is specialized, and the costs depend on the scope and scale of the treatment.
- The individual's specific insurance plan also determines the expenses.
- The typical costs of surgery range between $14,000 and $30,000. (Anna N A Tosteson et al., 2008)
Choosing Treatment When choosing between chiropractic and surgery for a herniated disc, a number of factors can determine the decision, including: - Chiropractic is the less invasive nonsurgical option.
- Chiropractic adjustments cannot help certain severe cases of herniated discs.
- Chiropractic adjustments prevent the herniated disc from getting worse and ease symptoms.
- Surgery provides pain and symptom relief faster than chiropractic or conservative treatment but requires significant recovery time and is expensive. (Anna N A Tosteson et al., 2008)
- Surgery may not be appropriate for individuals with osteoarthritis or osteoporosis.
Chiropractic therapy is among the more conservative treatment options for a herniated disc and may be tried first before proceeding with surgery. Generally, surgery is only recommended when noninvasive methods haven’t been able to stop or manage the pain and symptoms. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop an optimal health and wellness solution that fully benefits the individual to get back to normal. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References MedlinePlus.MedlinePlus. (2023). Chiropractic. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/chiropractic.html National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health. (2019). Chiropractic: in-depth. Retrieved from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chiropractic-in-depth Coulter, I. D., Crawford, C., Hurwitz, E. L., Vernon, H., Khorsan, R., Suttorp Booth, M., & Herman, P. M. (2018). Manipulation and mobilization for treating chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Spine Journal: official North American Spine Society journal, 18(5), 866–879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2018.01.013 Dagenais, S., Brady, O., Haldeman, S., & Manga, P. (2015). A systematic review comparing the costs of chiropractic care to other interventions for spine pain in the United States. BMC health services research, 15, 474. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1140-5 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2022). Herniated disk in the lower back. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/herniated-disk-in-the-lower-back/ American Academy of Neurological Surgeons. Surgeons, A. A. o. N. (2024). Herniated disc. https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Herniated-Disc Dohrmann, G. J., & Mansour, N. (2015). Long-Term Results of Various Operations for Lumbar Disc Herniation: Analysis of over 39,000 Patients. Medical principles and practice: international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre, 24(3), 285–290. https://doi.org/10.1159/000375499 Tosteson, A. N., Skinner, J. S., Tosteson, T. D., Lurie, J. D., Andersson, G. B., Berven, S., Grove, M. R., Hanscom, B., Blood, E. A., & Weinstein, J. N. (2008). The cost-effectiveness of surgical versus nonoperative treatment for lumbar disc herniation over two years: evidence from the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT). Spine, 33(19), 2108–2115. https://doi.org/10.1097/brs.0b013e318182e390
A dislocated elbow is a common injury in adults and children and often happens in tandem with bone fractures and nerve and tissue damage. Can physical therapy help to support recovery and ensure range of motion? Dislocated Elbow Injury Elbow dislocations are generally caused by trauma when the elbow bones no longer connect. Individuals falling onto an outstretched hand is the most common cause of the injury. (James Layson, Ben J. Best 2023) Healthcare providers will try to relocate the elbow using a closed reduction. Individuals may require surgery if they cannot relocate the elbow using closed reduction. Resetting The Elbow The elbow is made up of a hinge and ball-and-socket joint, enabling unique motions: (American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 2021) Hinge joint - The hinge function allows the bending and straightening of the arm.
Ball-and-socket joint - The ball-and-socket function allows you to rotate the palm of your hand to face up or face down.
A dislocated elbow injury can damage bones, muscles, ligaments, and tissues. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2021) The longer the elbow remains out of the joint, the more damage can occur. Elbow dislocations rarely reset into their joints on their own and are recommended to be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider to prevent permanent damage to nerves or function. - It is not recommended to try to reset the elbow on your own.
- A healthcare provider will work to restore the joint and ensure proper alignment.
- Before the reset, they will perform a physical examination to assess blood circulation and any nerve damage.
- Providers will order an imaging scan to examine the dislocation and identify broken bones. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2021)
Type of Dislocation The two types of elbow dislocations are: (James Layson, Ben J. Best 2023) Posterior Dislocation - Occurs when there is a significant force on the palm that spreads toward the elbow.
- Falling with the hands stretched out to catch yourself, and the elbow joint pushes backward/posterior.
Anterior Dislocation - This is less common and results from applied force on a flexed elbow.
- Falling to the ground when the hand is up near the shoulder.
- In this case, the elbow joint pushes forward/anterior.
- X-rays are used to determine the type of dislocation and to identify any broken bones. (American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 2021)
- Depending on the injury, the provider may order a CT scan or MRI to ensure no damage has occurred to nerves or ligaments. (Radiopaedia. 2023)
Signs and Symptoms A dislocated elbow injury is often caused by trauma. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2021) General signs and symptoms include: (American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 2021) - Inability to move the elbow.
- Bruising and swelling around the area.
- Intense pain in the elbow and surrounding area.
- Deformity around the elbow joint.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand can indicate nerve damage.
Treatment Without Surgery - Healthcare providers initially try to treat a dislocated elbow using a closed reduction technique. (American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 2021)
- A closed reduction means that the elbow can be relocated without surgery.
- Before the closed reduction, a healthcare provider will administer medications to help relax the individual and address the pain. (Medline Plus. 2022)
- Once relocated into the correct position, a healthcare provider applies a splint (usually at a 90-degree angle of flexion) to keep the elbow in place. (James Layson, Ben J. Best 2023)
- The objective is to prevent elbow extension, which can cause re-dislocation.
- The splint remains in place for one to three weeks. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2021)
- A physical therapist will assess motion and prescribe exercises to prevent elbow range of motion loss.
Treatment With Surgery - The elbow remains unstable with a slight extension.
- The bones are not correctly aligning.
- The ligaments need further repair after a closed reduction.
- Complex elbow dislocations can make it difficult to maintain joint alignment.
- An assistive device, like an external hinge, may be recommended to help prevent re-dislocating the elbow.
- The surgeon will recommend physical therapy after surgery to assist with range-of-motion exercises to optimize and expedite recovery.
Recovery - Recovery times can vary as every injury is different. (American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 2021)
- The recovery time depends on the elbow's stability after closed reduction or surgery.
- Healthcare providers will initiate active motion exercises. (American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 2021)
- Limiting how long the joint is immobilized will prevent stiffness, scarring, and inhibited movement.
- Healthcare providers don't recommend immobilization for more than a few weeks.
Resuming Normal Activities Resuming regular activity often depends on the type of treatment for the elbow dislocation: (Ortho Bullets. 2023) Closed Reduction - The elbow is splinted for five to ten days.
- Individuals may engage in physical therapy early motion activity to help prevent loss of range of motion.
- Individuals are recommended to do light exercises within two weeks after the injury.
Surgical Reduction - The elbow may be placed in a brace that allows for a gradual increase in motion.
- It is essential to maintain controlled movement to prevent motion loss.
- The elbow can extend fully within six to eight weeks, although it could take up to five months for complete restoration.
- The healthcare provider will determine when it's safe to resume normal activity.
General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Layson J, Best BJ. Elbow Dislocation. [Updated 2023 Jul 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549817/ American Society for Surgery of the Hand. (2021). Elbow dislocation. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2023). Elbow dislocation. Jones J, Carroll D, El-Feky M, et al. (2023). Elbow dislocation. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-10501 Medline Plus. (2022). Closed reduction of a fractured bone. Ortho Bullets. (2023). Elbow dislocation.
Can healthcare professionals implement an inclusive and positive approach for gender affirming healthcare for non-binary individuals? Introduction When it comes to many individuals looking for the right healthcare options for their ailments and general well-being, it can be scary and challenging to some, including many individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. Many individuals need to research when finding positive and safe healthcare facilities that listen to what the person is dealing with when getting a routine check-up or their ailments treated. Within the LGBTQ+ community, many individuals do find it difficult to express what is affecting their bodies due to past traumas of not being seen or heard due to their identities, pronouns, and orientation. This can cause numerous barriers between them and their primary doctor, leading to a negative experience. However, when medical professionals provide a positive, safe environment, listen to the person’s ailments, and be non-judgmental to their patients, they can open the doors to improving inclusive healthcare wellness within the LGBTQ+ community. Today’s article focuses on one identity within the LGBTQ+ community, known as non-binary, and how inclusive healthcare can be optimized while benefitting many individuals dealing with general aches, pains, and conditions within their bodies. Coincidentally, we communicate with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide a safe and positive experience in inclusive healthcare. We also inform them that there are non-surgical options to reduce the effects of general aches and pain while restoring their quality of life. We encourage our patients to ask amazing educational questions to our associated medical providers about their symptoms correlating with body pain in a safe and positive environment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an academic service. Disclaimer What Is Non-Binary Gender? The term non-binary is used within the LGBTQ+ community to describe a person who doesn’t identify as a male or female within the gender identity spectrum. Non-binary individuals can even fall under various gender identities that make them who they are. These can include: - Genderqueer: An individual who doesn’t follow the traditional gender norm.
- Agender: An individual who doesn’t identify with any gender.
- Genderfluid: An individual whose gender identity is not fixed or can change over time.
- Intergender: An individual who identifies as a combination of male and female.
- Androgynous: An individual whose gender expression combines masculine and feminine traits.
- Gender Non-Conforming: An individual who doesn’t conform to society’s expectation of gender identity.
- Transgender: An individual whose gender identity is different from their assigned gender at birth.
When it comes to non-binary binary individuals looking for healthcare treatment for their ailments, it can be a bit of a challenge as many individuals who identify as non-binary within the LGBTQ+ community have to deal with the socio-economic impact when getting treatment, which can lead to unnecessary stress when going in for a routine check-up or getting their ailments treated. (Burgwal et al., 2019) When this happens, it can lead to a negative experience for the individual and make them feel inferior. However, when healthcare professionals take the time to be properly trained, use the correct pronouns, and create an inclusive, positive, and safe space for individuals who identify as non-binary, it can open the doors to creating more of an inclusive awareness and lead to more appropriate care for the LGBTQ+ community. (Tellier, 2019) General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
How can physicians create a positive experience for LGTBQ+ individuals seeking inclusive health care for muscle pain? Introduction Finding proper treatment for many body pain conditions should not be challenging when numerous factors and conditions can impact a person’s lifestyle. When it comes to these factors can range from their home environment to their medical conditions, which then harms their well-being and not being heard when informed about their situation. This can cause barriers to be built up and causes the individual not to be seen or heard when seeking treatment for their pain. However, many individuals within the LGBTQ+ community can seek numerous personalized solutions to improve their general well-being and have a positive experience that suits their needs. This article explores how inclusive health care can positively impact the LGBTQ+ community and how non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care can be incorporated into a person’s personalized inclusive health care plan. Additionally, we communicate with certified medical providers who integrate our patient’s information to reduce general pain through inclusive healthcare treatment. We also inform them that non-surgical treatments can be a positive experience for them to minimize general body pain. We encourage our patients to ask amazing questions while seeking education from our associated medical providers about their pain conditions in a safe and positive environment. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an educational service. Disclaimer What Is Inclusive Health Care? Have you been dealing with constant stress that is causing pain in your body? Do you feel like there are barriers that are preventing you from getting the relief you need from your pain? Or are many environmental factors preventing you from getting back your health and wellness? Many individuals seeking treatment for general pain or conditions affecting their health and wellness will often research which care treatment suits their wants and needs in a positive and safe manner while being inclusive. Healthcare treatments like inclusive health care can provide a positive and safe outcome for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Inclusive health care can help many healthcare professionals establish an inclusive code of conduct within the LGBTQ+ community to improve health-specific outcomes. (Moran, 2021) Now inclusive health care is defined as removing barriers to health care services that should be equally accessible and affordable to many individuals regardless of age, sexual orientation, and gender identity. For many people within the LGBTQ+ community, many individuals identify as gender minorities. A gender minority is an individual who identifies as gender non-conforming and whose gender identity or expression differs from the conventional gender binary. Inclusive health care is an important aspect for the LGBTQ+ community as it can benefit people in getting the treatment they deserve. How Does Inclusive Health Care Benefits The LGTBQ+ Community? Regarding inclusive health care, many healthcare providers must respect their patients and their needs when coming in for a general check-up. Since many individuals in the LGBTQ+ community are already dealing with enough stress, especially young people, it is important to have a calm, safe, and non-judgmental environment promoting safety and inclusion. (Diana & Esposito, 2022) There are many ways that inclusive health care can provide beneficial results to the individual and health care provider. Some may include: - What pronouns the individual preferred
- What the individual wants to be identified
- Being respectful of the patient’s needs
- Building a trusted relationship with the individual
When individuals in the LGBTQ+ community have inclusive health care in a positive environment, it can create a positive experience for them as it can improve mental health and general well-being and make a huge impact that can be life-saving. (Carroll & Bishop, 2022) The Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Team is committed to building a positive and safe space for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community that need inclusive health care to reduce pain-like symptoms through personalized treatment plans. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
Back problems can affect everyone. The most healthy individuals can experience back issues from time to time because of unhealthy postures, standing or sitting for extended periods at a job or school, athletes, and individuals with previous injuries. Back soreness and pain symptoms are common in today's active and inactive world. The pain can range from dull and constant aches to sharp and sudden piercing sensations. This causes pressure to build up against different regions of the spine. Individuals trying to reposition the body can cause an imbalance in the spine that often leads to more pain and problems. It is impossible to adjust one's spine effectively and should be evaluated and treated by a professional chiropractor and therapy team. Professional Chiropractor Problems With DIY adjustments - Self-cracking or having a friend/family/spouse walk on their back or squeeze the body to achieve the crack or pop forces an increase in mobility that can lead to overexerting the spine.
- Can loosen all of the joints instead of just the tight joints.
- This can overly loosen already flexible joints that must compensate for the stiff joints.
- The muscles have to work overtime to maintain stability, adding stress which increases muscle tension.
- This can cause the health of compressed segments to continue to decline and worsen and/or cause further injury.
- It can cause abnormal vertebral degeneration.
- It can be dangerous if the individual has weak bones.
- Injuries can include herniated and dislocated discs.
- In the worst-case scenario, fractures and broken vertebrae.
- Although rare, there is the possible risk of rib fracture or subluxation.
- This can cause pain and symptoms to turn into a serious health or chronic condition.
Chiropractic Training Chiropractors are trained medical specialists on the body's structure and function. Chiropractors know the correct positioning and function of every area of the spine, from the neck to the tailbone. The most common injuries that chiropractic treats include: - Muscle Strains
- Sciatica
- Overuse/Repetitive Strains
- Neck Sprains
- Whiplash
- Headaches
- Herniated Discs
- Dislocations
- Fractures
Proper Realignment Individuals think the popping sound is the goal; however, it's not what relieves the pain or symptoms. The relief comes from the improved movement of the joints. The term for the popping sound is cavitation. Chiropractic manipulation is a specific force applied in a specific direction to a particular joint. During a professional realignment session, the pressure inside the joint decreases, releasing gasses within the synovial fluid into the joint space. That's the popping sound. When a professional chiropractor performs adjustments/cavitations, they: - ImproveJoint function.
- Relax the muscles.
- Relieve nerve irritation.
There's also the possibility of an unknown underlying cause for the pain symptoms. Therefore, friends and family should not attempt back adjustments unless they are professional chiropractors. When symptoms persist, treatment from a professional licensed chiropractic clinic is safer and more effective, and early treatment can prevent permanent damage caused by chronic inflammation. Professional chiropractor treatments include: Adjustments - To gently realign joints to decrease pain and increase range of motion.
Soft-Tissue Therapy - Relaxes tight muscles, relieves spasms, and releases tension in the tissues that surround the muscle fascia.
Exercises and Stretches - Restore and maintain joint stability and mobility.
Joint Bracing and Kinesio Taping - Supports sprained joints or muscles during recovery.
Referrals to Medical Experts - For guidance on diet and nutrition to reduce inflammation and promote healthy weight.
General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, don't hesitate to get in touch with Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Dunning, James, et al. "CAVITATION SOUNDS DURING CERVICOTHORACIC SPINAL MANIPULATION." International Journal of sports physical therapy vol. 12,4 (2017): 642-654. Evans, David W, and Nicholas Lucas. "What is manipulation? A new definition." BMC musculoskeletal disorders vol. 24,1 194. 15 March 2023, doi:10.1186/s12891-023-06298-w Hardy, Katie, and Henry Pollard. "The organization of the stress response, and its relevance to chiropractors: a commentary." Chiropractic & osteopathy vol. 14 25. 18 October 2006, doi:10.1186/1746-1340-14-25 LaPelusa, Andrew. and Bruno Bordoni. "High-Velocity Low Amplitude Manipulation Techniques." StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 6 February 2023. Navid, Muhammad Samran, et al. "The effects of chiropractic spinal manipulation on central processing of tonic pain - a pilot study using standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA)." Scientific Reports vol. 9,1 6925. 6 May. 2019, doi:10.1038/s41598-019-42984-3
The body has around 1,000 ligaments that connect bones and joints. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that support joint mobility and stabilize the muscles and bones. An injury to one or more ligaments can cause inflammation, swelling, discomfort, and instability. The PCL refers to the posterior cruciate ligament that runs along the back of the knee joint. This ligament connects the femur/thigh bone to the tibia/shinbone. Anyone can suffer from an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament. It can be caused by the knee hitting a dashboard in an automobile collision, a worker twisting or falling on a bent knee or a sports contact injury. The Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic Team provide soft tissue work, trigger point therapy, and targeted non-surgical treatment through advanced therapy methods and technologies. Posterior Cruciate Ligament The posterior cruciate ligament - PCL is located inside the knee, just behind the anterior cruciate ligament - ACL. It is one of several ligaments that connect the femur/thighbone to the tibia/shinbone. The posterior cruciate ligament keeps the tibia from moving backward. Injury Posterior cruciate ligament injuries are far less common than ACL - anterior cruciate tears. PCL injuries make up less than 20% of all knee ligament injuries. It is more common for PCL tears to occur with other ligament injuries. A PCL injury can cause mild, moderate, or severe damage and is rated into four different categories: Grade I - A partial tear is present in the ligament.
Grade II - There is a partial tear.
- The ligament can feel loose.
Grade III - The ligament is completely torn.
- The knee is unstable.
Grade IV - The PCL is injured.
- Other knee ligaments are damaged.
Individuals with posterior cruciate ligament injuries can have short or long-term symptoms. Typically, long-term symptoms occur when an injury slowly develops over time. In mild cases, individuals may still be able to walk, and their symptoms may be less noticeable. Common symptoms associated with PCL injuries include: - Difficulty placing weight on the injured knee.
- Stiffness.
- Walking difficulties.
- Difficulty descending stairs.
- A wobbly sensation inside the knee.
- Inflammation and swelling can be mild to severe.
- Knee pain.
- Pain that worsens over time.
- Over time, tears could lead to the development of osteoarthritis.
There is an increased risk of extensive damage and chronic pain conditions if left untreated. Chiropractic Care The continued participation in work or activity following a mild injury is the primary reason individuals undergo therapy, injections, or surgical repairs. Knee injuries need immediate attention to prevent worsening or further damage. A chiropractor will examine the knee, check the range of motion and ask about symptoms. They may request imaging tests to determine the extent of the damage. These tests may include the following: - X-rays.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- CT scan.
During the physical examination, they will check all the structures of the injured knee and compare them to the non-injured knee. The wounded knee may appear to sag backward when bent or could slide back too far, specifically when beyond a 90-degree angle. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Common treatments include: Crutches - Crutches may be recommended to limit the weight placed on the knee.
Knee Brace - A special brace can address instability and help prevent the tibia bone from sagging backward.
- Gravity tends to pull the bone backward when lying down.
Chiropractic and Physical Therapy - As the swelling goes down, a carefully personalized rehabilitation program can begin.
- A chiropractic regimen will reset and retrain the ligament.
- Massage therapy will minimize scar tissue and increase circulation.
- Specific exercises will stabilize the knee, restore function, and strengthen the leg muscles that support it.
- Strengthening the muscles in the front of the thigh/quadriceps is a key factor in a successful recovery.
Surgery - In severe cases, surgery may be necessary for full rehabilitation.
- Knee arthroscopy is performed to reconstruct the ligament.
- This procedure is less invasive compared to traditional surgical methods.
Recovery time varies from person to person. If the injury is mild, it may only take around ten days to heal. If surgery was needed, recovery could take about six to nine months. Full recovery typically requires 6 to 12 months. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, don't hesitate to get in touch with Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries. (https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/posterior-cruciate-ligament-injuries) Accessed 7/26/21. Bedi A, Musahl V, Cowan JB. Management of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: An Evidence-Based Review. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. 2016 May;24(5):277-89. Accessed 7/26/21. Lu, Cheng-Chang, et al. “Twelve Weeks of a Staged Balance and Strength Training Program Improves Muscle Strength, Proprioception, and Clinical Function in Patients with Isolated Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 18,23 12849. 6 Dec. 2021, doi:10.3390/ijerph182312849 Pierce, Casey M et al. “Posterior cruciate ligament tears: functional and postoperative rehabilitation.” Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy: official journal of the ESSKA vol. 21,5 (2013): 1071-84. doi:10.1007/s00167-012-1970-1 Schüttler, K F et al. “Verletzungen des hinteren Kreuzbands” [Posterior cruciate ligament injuries]. Der Unfallchirurg vol. 120,1 (2017): 55-68. doi:10.1007/s00113-016-0292-z Zsidai, Bálint, et al. “Different injury patterns exist among patients undergoing operative treatment of isolated PCL, combined PCL/ACL, and isolated ACL injuries: a study from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry.” Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy: official journal of the ESSKA vol. 30,10 (2022): 3451-3460. doi:10.1007/s00167-022-06948-x
Introduction Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents how the SBAR method is used in a clinical approach in a chiropractic office. Since pain in the body is one of the most common complaints worldwide, many individuals can be referred to the right healthcare professional to have a better understanding of what is happening to their bodies and have their health and wellness restored. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in treatments to aid individuals suffering from various chronic issues associated with muscle and joint pain affecting their bodies. We also guide our patients by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer What Is The SBAR Method? Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: The term SBAR stands for situation, background, assessment, and recommendation. It is a communication method that many chiropractors or healthcare professionals use to help simplify communicating patient information to other healthcare team members. And the whole goal of the SBAR method is to help us strategically and systematically share a patient situation along with the background of that patient, the assessment findings that we have found, and recommendations that we recommend to that specific individual so they can easily understand what we need, want, and what is going on with that patient in a very clear and focused way. So the SBAR method can help the chiropractor or massage therapist stay organized whenever they’re having to communicate and cut out unnecessary information that may be in the conversation that wastes time or may confuse the listener and help prevent those moments where the specialist may get questions from the person they are talking to, and they may not know. The SBAR method allows chiropractors to communicate efficiently with patients about where the pain is located in their bodies. So the SBAR will help many health professionals stay organized. Some examples of the SBAR method used for communication include: a nurse needs to speak with a healthcare provider like a physician, a nurse practitioner, or a PA to let them know that the patient’s condition is deteriorating, and they need to call and report that. If they need something for that patient, the healthcare provider can follow the SBAR method, which will help them clearly and concisely communicate that issue to the listener. Chiropractors can also use the SBAR to share with other associated medical providers or massage therapists when they have a patient’s report to be handed or transferred to a different unit. The SBAR method can be used with other healthcare team members, like speech therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic therapy, and physical therapy. This method helps and guides chiropractors with what information they need to provide to the patient, so they can fully understand what is going on with them. An example would be a patient coming into a chiropractic clinic with back pain; however, they are experiencing gut issues and having areas of complaints in their hips, causing mobility issues. So by using the SBAR method, chiropractors and other healthcare providers can communicate better with their patients and develop a solution with the APPIER process and a treatment plan that caters to the individual. When creating your SBAR to communicate better with someone, it’s better to ensure that you are fully prepared before initiating that conversation. Having a little system to comply with the SBAR method can help you quickly and allow you to note what is happening with the patient in your head or take note of their condition. Getting the layout of the SBAR method is the first step, and many healthcare units will have them created so the doctor can fill them in and put all the information they need when they call or talk to their patients. Chiropractors using the SBAR method would go into the room, look at that patient, assess that patient, collect their vital signs and look in the chart, look at the latest progress now, and know who’s on board taking care of that patient. The SBAR method also allows the doctor to review that patient’s chart thoroughly and understand what’s going on with that patient. So by the time they step into the room, they will have an idea of what is going on with the patient when those questions come up. Plus, when they have looked at the latest lab results from their associated medical providers. They can have an insight into what medication the patient is taking because those questions will probably come up and be included in the SBAR method. This will allow the chiropractor to gather all that information from the patient and be comfortable and ready to initiate the conversation. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
Middle back pain is usually caused by unhealthy posture, improper lifting or twisting, and minor injuries like muscle strains, sprains, and herniated discs. Thoracic herniated discs are less common than neck or low back herniations because of the thoracic vertebrae's size and rigidity, but they do happen. Chiropractic care can treat thoracic herniated discs and prevent future episodes. Thoracic Herniated Disc The 12 thoracic vertebrae between the neck and the lumbar spine make up the largest and least flexible area. The rib cage adds: - Protection
- Support
- Stabilization of the spine
Symptoms Herniated discs happen when the soft, gel-like layer of the shock-absorbing intervertebral disc bulges into or leaks through the disc's tough outer layer. Due to the location, a herniated disc can cause various issues to the middle back, chest wall, and/or abdominal areas around the injured vertebrae. This displacement can cause: - Inflammation
- Compression to the spinal nerves or spinal cord
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Pain
- Weakness
- If the lower thoracic region is herniated, symptoms can radiate to one or both lower extremities.
Radiculopathy If the herniation compresses a thoracic spinal nerve, it can cause radiculopathy or pain that radiates down the nerve and out from the spine into the surrounding muscles. The symptoms can present around the rib cage or upper abdominal area. A large disc herniation can compress the spinal cord inside the spinal canal. This is a condition called myelopathy which can cause: - Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness in one or both lower extremities
- Sometimes bowel and bladder dysfunction
- In severe cases, paralysis
Causes Degenerative disc disease and trauma like vehicle collisions or falls are the most common causes of thoracic herniation. - Individuals between 30 and 50 are more likely to be affected.
- As the body ages, the disc's soft inner layer loses hydration, making it less effective as a shock absorber.
- The tough outer layer loses elasticity, increasing the risk of disc tears.
Chiropractic Care - A chiropractor or neurologic physical therapist can personalize a herniated disc exercise treatment plan to reduce pain, improve strength and posture, and increase mobility.
- Therapeutic massage can be useful in managing pain and decreasing inflammation.
- Traction therapy
- Spinal epidural injections can be used with physical therapy to help manage pain and allow the body to heal independently.
Recommendations - Avoid bending, lifting, reaching, and twisting.
- Apply an ice pack or cold compress for 15- to 20-minute intervals every two hours.
- Sit in chairs with a firm back to support the spine.
- When sleeping, place a small pillow under the head and knees to keep the spine in a neutral position to prevent pressure on the herniated region.
- Avoid too much rest, which can worsen the injury.
- Gentle physical activity will maintain circulation and keep the muscles strong.
Surgery Most cases of thoracic herniation do not require surgery. Surgery could be recommended if there is intolerable pain, neurological issues, and conservative treatments are not working. A spine specialist can determine if surgery is necessary based on the injury's size, type, and location. Spinal surgery will remove all or part of the herniated disc compressing a nerve root. Common surgical procedures include: General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Barrow Neurological Institute. "Herniated Thoracic Disc." Barrow Neurological Institute, August 3, 2022. https://www.barrowneuro.org/condition/thoracic-disc-herniation/. Court, C., E. Mansour, and C. Bouthors. "Thoracic Disc Herniation: Surgical Treatment." Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research 104, no. 1 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otsr.2017.04.022. Dydyk, Alexander M, Ruben Ngnitewe Massa, and Fassil B Mesfin. "Disc Herniation - Statpearls - NCBI Bookshelf." National Library of Medicine, January 18, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822/. Yoon, Wai Weng, and Jonathan Koch. "Herniated Discs: When Is Surgery Necessary?" EFORT Open Reviews 6, no. 6 (2021): 526–30. https://doi.org/10.1302/2058-5241.6.210020.
Internal injuries occur under the skin and muscle tissues. Internal organ damage occurs when an organ's structure becomes altered or begins to malfunction and can be brought on by trauma or disease. Sympathetic nerves send and receive messages, including pain signals, from the brain through the spinal cord. Chiropractors understand the spine and internal organ connection. For example, the splanchnic nerves connect to the stomach, originating between thoracic vertebra six and ten. Internal Organ Damage Blunt Trauma - Blunt trauma/Non-penetrating trauma happens when a forceful impact strikes the body.
- A car accident, hard fall, or getting hit by a dull object qualifies as blunt trauma.
- Blunt trauma can rupture the blood vessels and organs.
- Organs most likely to experience damage include the spleen and liver.
Penetrating Trauma - Penetrating trauma happens when an object enters the body.
- The object can bruise, slice, and pierce organs.
- Internal bleeding can occur if blood vessels are torn or cut.
Organs fall into two categories: Solid Organs The solid organs contain organ tissue throughout and include the following: - Liver
- Spleen
- Kidneys
- Pancreas
- When solid organs go through trauma, they can rupture and/or develop hematomas.
- A hematoma is when blood vessels rupture and blood collects inside the organ.
Hollow Organs The hollow organs have an organ wall that surrounds an empty/hollow space that includes: - Stomach
- Intestines
- Colon
- Bladder
- Ureters
- Hollow organs that experience trauma can tear the walls and allow material to leak out.
- This leakage can cause peritonitis and sepsis.
- Individuals can also develop hematomas with blood collecting in the organ wall.
Thoracic Spine The thoracic spine is the most interconnected with the internal organs and includes: - T2 - the chest, heart, and blood vessels.
- T4 - the gallbladder, tendons, and ligaments.
- T6 - the stomach and pancreas.
- T10 - the kidneys.
Lumbar Spine The lumbar spine is connected to the lower organs. - L1 is connected to the large intestine.
- Issues with L1 might be indicated by constipation or diarrhea.
- L3 Is connected to the bladder, uterus in women, and prostate in men.
- Painful menstruation or impotence could indicate problems.
Organ Damage Effects Internal bleeding is the most immediate issue arising from internal organ damage. - Bleeding can lead to shock as blood volume drops.
- It can also form hematomas in the organs.
- Internal bleeding can also occur after less severe trauma and/or be delayed for hours or days.
- After the individual is stabilized, localized symptoms can appear.
- Damaged organs can become inflamed and swell, causing abdominal compartment syndrome.
- Compartment syndrome occurs when swelling restricts blood circulation to and from the organ to the circulatory and nervous systems, causing pain and further damage to the organ tissues.
- If circulation is not restored, the organs may fail.
- Severe swelling of the organs can cause heart and lung problems, as the swollen organs leave no room for the lungs to expand or for the heart to pump blood.
Emergency Treatment and Rehabilitation Blunt force injuries that produce significant organ impact, bleeding, and penetrating injuries may require surgery to repair or remove damaged organs. Doctors may keep the injured individual under observation for minor internal bleeding to see if surgery is needed. Minor internal bleeding often heals on its own without surgery. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic offer rehabilitation after surgery as a thorough way to expedite healing and recovery. - Chiropractic manages pain without medications that can interfere with the ability to perform simple tasks.
- The body's functions and biochemical responses from the trauma and surgery are addressed.
- Inflammation and swelling are alleviated, and prevention is done through adjustments, massage, diet, and health coaching.
General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Iheozor-Ejiofor, Zipporah, et al. "Negative pressure wound therapy for open traumatic wounds." The Cochrane database of systematic reviews vol. 7,7 CD012522. 3 Jul. 2018, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012522.pub2 McCausland C, Sajjad H. Anatomy, Back, Splanchnic Nerve. [Updated 2021 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549856/ Newman RK, Dayal N, Dominique E. Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. [Updated 2022 Apr 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430932/ Risselada, Marije. "Perforating Cervical, Thoracic, and Abdominal Wounds." The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice vol. 47,6 (2017): 1135-1148. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2017.06.002 Shaheen, Aisha W et al. "Abdominal compartment syndrome in trauma patients: New insights for predicting outcomes." Journal of emergencies, trauma, and shock vol. 9,2 (2016): 53-7. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.179452 Sikka, Rishi. "Unsuspected internal organ traumatic injuries." Emergency medicine clinics of North America vol. 22,4 (2004): 1067-80. doi:10.1016/j.emc.2004.05.006
Asthma, coughing, and heavy breathing can contribute to back muscle strain, soreness, and pain. An asthma attack can cause the body to heave during intense gasping, leaving the back muscles physically exhausted. Chiropractic adjustments and decompression can bring back pain relief, strengthen and stretch the spine and spinal muscles, and prevent it from returning, along with asthma management. Asthma The bronchial tubes divide into smaller passages called bronchi and then into bronchioles. The bronchioles have tiny air sacs called alveoli, where inhaled oxygen is delivered to the blood. After absorbing the oxygen, the blood leaves the lungs and travels to the heart. Asthma is a lung condition that can affect anyone at any age. Asthma narrows the lungs’ airways causing inflammation in response to respiratory triggers, making it harder for air to travel out of the airways when exhaling. Symptoms include: - Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Gasping to get air
- Coughing
- Tightness in the chest
Triggers can include: - Hot and/or humid weather
- Exercise
- Cold air
- Pollen
- Pets
- Viral infections
- Respiratory infections
Asthma Coughing and Back Strain Asthma symptoms can take a toll on the back muscles and spine. Asthma attacks that cause gasping and heavy breathing cause the primary muscle (diaphragm) that supports breathing to weaken and strain. The diaphragm helps the spine but cannot do so effectively when under constant strain. Constant Coughing and Spinal Health Coughing is the body’s way of expelling unwanted foreign bodies. Chronic coughing stresses, strains, and overexerts the spinal support muscles and impacts posture. Individuals unconsciously take on a tense, forward-leaning posture/position that can cause: - Neck and shoulder stiffness, upper/lower back tightness, disc herniation, and pain.
- Vertebrae subluxations/spinal misalignments can interfere with circulation and nerve function.
- For short-term back pain following an asthma attack or coughing episode, it is recommended to rest, apply heat or ice, and take over-the-counter pain medication.
- Massage therapy and myofascial release can stretch and relax the muscles.
- Chiropractic manipulation relieves the stress on the nerves and muscles and stimulates the spinal cord and nerves to regain proper functioning.
Breathing Exercises and Yoga Strengthened and conditioned core muscles can help to breathe more efficiently. When breathing normally it is usually a shallow inhale/exhale that does not fill the lungs to the total capacity. Diaphragmatic breathing is a technique to fully engage the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to fill the lungs with air more efficiently. Using the diaphragm correctly will: - Strengthen the diaphragm.
- Use less energy to breathe.
- Slow down the breathing rate.
- Decrease the work of breathing hard.
- Decrease the demand for continuous oxygen.
Yoga is another core-strengthening technique that encourages focused breathing that can help improve asthma control. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, or licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References American Lung Association. Breathing Exercises. (https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/wellness/breathing-exercises) Accessed 3/29/2022. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.) “Diaphragmatic breathing.” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9445-diaphragmatic-breathing Lunardi, Adriana Claudia, et al. “Musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain in adults with asthma.” The Journal of asthma: Official Journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma vol. 48,1 (2011): 105-10. doi:10.3109/02770903.2010.520229 Rasmussen-Barr, E. et al. “Are respiratory disorders risk factors for troublesome low-back pain? A study of a general population cohort in Sweden.” The European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society vol. 28,11 (2019): 2502-2509. doi:10.1007/s00586-019-06071-5 Solakoğlu, Özge, et al. “The effects of forward head posture on expiratory muscle strength in chronic neck pain patients: A cross-sectional study.” Turkish Journal of physical medicine and rehabilitation vol. 66,2 161-168. 18 May. 2020, doi:10.5606/tftrd.2020.3153
Any vehicle crash, collision, or accident can cause various injuries, with back pain issues as a primary injury or a side effect from other injuries. Usually, injury symptoms begin right after the collision, but in other cases, individuals may not start experiencing symptoms until hours, days, or even weeks later. This is from the adrenaline that rushes throughout the body during the collision/fight or flight response delaying the injury symptoms. There are reports of individuals who walk away from an accident unscathed but require urgent medical treatment a short while later. Chiropractic care can provide manual and spinal motorized decompression benefits. Head Injuries - Head injuries occur when drivers and/or passengers hit their heads on the steering wheel, windows, dashboard, metal frame, and sometimes each other.
- A head injury is considered a severe condition that can cause concussions, skull fractures, comas, hearing loss, cognitive and memory issues, and vision problems.
- A significant head injury can cause extensive and costly medical treatment with the possibility of long-term medical care.
Neck Injuries - Neck injuries are common in vehicle collisions.
- The most common is whiplash, with the head and neck-snapping from indirect blunt force, like being rear-ended.
- Whiplash can cause significant damage to the ligaments and muscles, like swelling and neck pain, and temporary paralysis of the vocal cords.
- Injury patterns of whiplash can differ depending on the speed, force, and overall health of the individual involved.
Back Injuries - Back injuries can range in severity from sprains to significant damage involving the nerves and/or the spinal cord.
- If the damage is severe, it can lead to loss of sensation in the body, loss of limb control, or permanent paralysis.
- Disc herniation/s can lead to disability, muscle weakness, tingling and numbness in the limbs, and radiating body pain.
Chest and Torso Injuries - Vehicle collision forces can result in severe chest injuries that include broken ribs.
- Broken ribs might not sound dangerous by themselves; they can puncture the lungs leading to other injuries and internal bleeding.
- Traumatic cardiac arrest can occur from the force of the impact.
- Other injuries include:
- Abdominal injuries to internal organs.
- Damage to the pelvis.
Broken Bones - The legs, feet, arms, and hands are frequently injured, broken, and sometimes dislocated.
- Motorcyclists are also at a higher risk for significant injury that includes:
- Multiple fractures, internal injury, head injuries, and severe ligament damage.
- Pedestrians struck by a vehicle have an increased risk for a combination of all injuries at once.
Non-Surgical Decompression Benefits - Chiropractors are trained to identify and treat injuries from vehicle collisions.
- Non-surgical spinal decompression gently stretches the spine using a motorized traction device to help reposition the spine and remove the pressure.
- As the pressure is taken off, the spinal discs regain their natural height, relieving the pressure on the nerves and other spinal structures.
- Optimal healing is promoted by an improved circulation of nutrients, water, and oxygen to the injury site.
- Decompression helps to strengthen the muscles in the affected area.
- It provides positive spinal structural changes.
- Improves nervous system function.
Non-surgical decompression is a tool for correcting injuries and relieving pain, allowing optimal health for the individual. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, or licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Apfel, Christian C et al. “Restoration of disk height through non-surgical spinal decompression is associated with decreased discogenic low back pain: a retrospective cohort study.” BMC musculoskeletal disorders vol. 11 155. 8 Jul. 2010, doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-155 Koçak, Fatmanur Aybala et al. “Comparison of the short-term effects of the conventional motorized traction with non-surgical spinal decompression performed with a DRX9000 device on pain, functionality, depression, and quality of life in patients with low back pain associated with lumbar disc herniation: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.” Turkish Journal of physical medicine and rehabilitation vol. 64,1 17-27. 16 Feb. 2017, doi:10.5606/tftrd.2017.154 Macario, Alex, and Joseph V Pergolizzi. “Systematic literature review of spinal decompression via motorized traction for chronic discogenic low back pain.” Pain practice: the Official Journal of World Institute of Pain vol. 6,3 (2006): 171-8. doi:10.1111/j.1533-2500.2006.00082.x
The most common form of pain is the headache. Whether dealing with a mild, dull ache, severe throbbing, or painful tension along the scalp and neck, headaches can disrupt and get in the way of everyday life. Over-the-counter pain medications can offer temporary relief, but they don’t get to the root and solve the cause. Chiropractic is a safe and effective treatment option that will bring head pain relief and treat what is causing the headache/s. Triggers Individuals engage in more sedentary activities, and more hours spent in one fixed position combined with poor posture can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back, and scalp. Headaches can have a variety of causes or triggers. These can include: - Stress is the most common trigger
- Muscle tension
- Insomnia
- Environmental stimuli - noises, lights, smells
- Dehydration
- Weather changes
- Foods
- Blood sugar changes
- Excessive exercise
Most Common Types There are two main categories: primary and secondary headaches. Primary headaches Primary headaches are when the headache itself is the main problem and is not a symptom of underlying diseases or conditions. These include: Secondary headaches These are related to medical condition/s like: - Sinus congestion
- Medication overuse
- Infection
- High blood pressure
- Trauma
- Head injury
- Diseased blood vessels in the brain
- Tumor
Frequency Headache pain comes from interacting signals in the brain, blood vessels, and nerves. A mechanism activates specific nerves that affect the muscles and blood vessels, sending pain signals back to the brain. If any of the following is occurring it is recommended to contact a doctor, headache specialist, or chiropractor. - Three or more headaches a week.
- Headaches that get worse or don't go away.
- Having to take a pain reliever every day or almost every day.
- Need more than 2-3 doses of over-the-counter medications a week to relieve symptoms.
- Headaches triggered by strenuous activity, hard work/exertion, bending, coughing.
- Recent changes in headache symptoms.
- Family history of headaches.
Clinical Description To get to the root a doctor will ask: - What time of day/night the headache usually occurs?
- How long does the headache last?
- Where the pain is located?
- Type of pain - throbbing, comes and goes, dull aching, one-sided, etc.
- Does the headache come on suddenly without warning or slowly progress?
- Are there other symptoms like weakness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, decreased appetite, changes in attitude or behavior?
Chiropractic A chiropractor will assess, diagnose, conduct a physical examination to determine the cause and develop a personalized treatment plan to alleviate the pain and help to manage and prevent headaches. Treatment approaches include: - A combination of chiropractic manipulative therapy.
- Activate trigger points to release tension and allow for optimal nerve and blood circulation.
- Active and passive exercises.
- Massage.
- Health coaching.
Water Most of the body is made up of water with the percentage of body composition that is water changing based on individual functional needs. Essential functions of water include: - Help to build/repair almost every cell in the body.
- Regulating body temperature through sweating and respiration.
- Energy from carbohydrates and proteins is transported by water through the blood.
- Assists in the removal of metabolic waste through urination.
- Acts as a shock absorber to protect the brain and spinal cord.
- Creates saliva/fluids to lubricate the joints.
The amount of water in the body depends on various factors that include: The most common water comes from lean body mass. This includes blood, organs, and muscle. Major body organs’ water content: - Lungs – 83%
- Muscles and kidneys – 79%
- Brain and heart – 73%
- Skin – 64%
- Bones – 31%
General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Bryans, Roland et al. “Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 34,5 (2011): 274-89. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.04.008 Tyagi, Alok. “New daily persistent headache.” Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology vol. 15,Suppl 1 (2012): S62-5. doi:10.4103/0972-2327.100011
Headaches and Treatment: Headaches can range from mild, dull aches to severe throbbing pain. They can be episodic and chronic. Tension headaches are the most common that present with pain around the head, scalp, or neck. Migraines are often chronic, with the pain lasting for a few hours to a few days. The location of the headache and the type of pain being experienced can indicate the type of headache. Sources of headaches include, but are not limited to: - Certain kinds of foods
- Sounds
- Excessive noise
- Bright lights
- Changes in blood sugar
- Too much exercise
Headache relief can come from over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, rest, and ice/heat packs on the forehead or neck. Research shows that individuals suffering from chronic headaches and migraines benefit more from long-term chiropractic than drug therapy alone. Doctors of chiropractic offer safe, effective, long-term relief. This is because most headaches have a spinal, muscular, or repeated pattern/s, which chiropractors have been trained to identify and treat. Tension Headaches and Treatment Tension Headaches are usually worse in the afternoon and evening and are often work, school, and stress-related. The pain is usually felt on both sides of the forehead and/or the top of the neck. These headaches can last for long periods and can be triggered by something as simple as an airplane trip. Tension headaches are caused by tension and trigger points within the muscles that constantly contract and don't relax. Chiropractic adjustments and muscle release techniques have proven to be highly effective. Migraine Headaches and Treatment Migraines are broken down into two categories: A migraine aura usually comes before the onset of a Migraine and consists of: - Visualizing a strange light
- Strange smells
- Confusing thoughts or experiences
Migraines are more common in women, but they do occur in men. Things that can trigger migraines include but are not limited to: - Medications
- Certain foods
- Environmental exposure
- Sleeping habits
It is recommended to keep a headache journal to: - Account all foods eaten
- Sleep patterns
- Drinking patterns
- Medications
- Exercise habits
- Stress scenarios
- Headache frequency, duration, areas of pain, and discomfort.
Research has shown successful results from chiropractic manipulation applied to individuals suffering from migraine headaches. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, nutrition and supplementation have also shown positive and long-term effects. Headaches and Treatment Chiropractic Stress can manifest in many ways that lead to headaches. Chiropractic adjustments can improve acute and chronic neck pain, reducing the number of headaches, whether migraines, tension headaches, or some other kind. Chiropractors adjust the spine's alignment to improve function and alleviate stress on the nervous system using a targeted methodology. This allows the body to function correctly and reduces stress and tension. A chiropractor will also recommend posture, stretches, exercises, and relaxation techniques. Lifestyle Adjustments Understanding how lifestyle affects the severity and frequency can be a large part of successful headache prevention. Specific adjustments can include: - Maintain regular sleep patterns.
- Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
- Exercise regularly.
- Aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes three times a week.
- Eat regular healthy meals.
- Do not skip meals.
- Limit stress by avoiding conflicts and resolving disputes calmly.
- Take daily stress breaks.
- Do not overuse pain medications, as overuse can make headaches worse.
Respiratory System The respiratory system refers to the organs in the body involved in breathing, inhaling oxygen, and exhaling carbon dioxide. These include: - Nose nasal cavity
- Throat - pharynx
- Voicebox - larynx
- Windpipe - trachea
- Lungs
The respiratory system is critical because it delivers oxygen to all the body's organs, supporting life-sustaining functions. If oxygen supply is insufficient, the energy production necessary for organ function becomes compromised, leading to poor overall health. The respiratory system is divided into the upper and lower respiratory tracts: - The upper respiratory tract includes the nose, nasal cavity, mouth, throat, and voice box.
- The lower respiratory tract consists of the windpipe, lungs, and all sections of the bronchial tree.
- When breathing, the hairs/cilia in the nose and trachea prevent bacteria and foreign substances from entering the body.
- Occasionally, pathogens will make it past the cilia and enter the body, causing illness.
- This is when the immune system goes to work neutralizing any invading pathogens.
General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Bryans, Roland et al. "Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache." Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 34,5 (2011): 274-89. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.04.008 Chaibi, A et al. "Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine: a three-armed, single-blinded, placebo, randomized controlled trial." European journal of neurology vol. 24,1 (2017): 143-153. doi:10.1111/ene.13166 Côté, Pierre et al. "Non-pharmacological management of persistent headaches associated with neck pain: A clinical practice guideline from the Ontario Protocol for traffic injury management (OPTIMa) collaboration." European journal of pain (London, England) vol. 23,6 (2019): 1051-1070. doi:10.1002/ejp.1374 Daghlas, Iyas et al. "Habitual sleep disturbances and migraine: a Mendelian randomization study." Annals of clinical and translational neurology vol. 7,12 (2020): 2370-2380. doi:10.1002/acn3.51228 Iwasaki, Akiko et al. “Early local immune defenses in the respiratory tract.” Nature reviews. Immunology vol. 17,1 (2017): 7-20. doi:10.1038/nri.2016.117
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Can individuals dealing with muscle pain find relief from acupuncture therapy to get back to their daily activities and well-being? Introduction Many people worldwide have dealt with pain in their musculoskeletal system that has affected their daily routine. Some of the most common factors that people have experienced muscle pain include sedentary lifestyles from working at a desk job or physical demands from an active lifestyle. The muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues can become overstretched and overworked, causing the muscles to become weak. At the same time, visceral somatic issues in the neck, shoulders, and back can affect the upper and lower extremities, leading to a life of disability. Many factors that can contribute to the development of muscle pain can impact a person’s routine and cause them to find various techniques to reduce the muscle pain in their bodies. Since muscle pain can be in acute or chronic form, many individuals who are seeking treatment for their ailments can look into non-surgical therapies like acupuncture to not only reduce muscle pain but also find the relief they are looking for. Today’s article focuses on how muscle pain can affect a person’s well-being, how the essence of acupuncture can be beneficial for muscle pain, and how people can integrate acupuncture therapy as part of a wellness routine. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess how muscle pain can impact a person’s well-being. We also inform and guide patients on how acupuncture therapy can benefit the body by reducing the effects of muscle pain. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricate and important questions about incorporating acupuncture therapy into a wellness routine to reduce muscle pain and its referred symptoms. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer. How Muscle Pain Can Affect A Person’s Well-Being Do you feel the effects of tiredness and weakness in your upper and lower extremity muscles? Have you experienced general soreness or aches in your neck, shoulders, or back? Or does twisting and turning your body cause temporary relief to your body, only for it to be worse throughout the day? When it comes to muscle pain can be a multi-factorial condition where that can involve complex interactions on a person’s structure, physical, social, lifestyle, and comorbid health factors that can come into play as contributing factors for people to experience long-term pain and disability. (Caneiro et al., 2021) As many individuals start to do repetitive motions or stay in sedentary positions, muscle pain can develop when they stretch or try to move their muscles while doing their routine. The burden of muscle pain often correlates with socioeconomic factors that can cause many people, both young and old, to substantially limit their mobility and engagement in their routine, which predisposes increased risk factors to other chronic conditions they may have. (Dzakpasu et al., 2021) When many individuals are dealing with muscle pain in its acute or chronic form, many often don’t realize that when the affected muscles in the upper and lower body quadrants are coping with pain, there is associated pain and stiffness from how active or inactive the muscles are can affect the soft tissue causing high mechanical stress to the affect the skeletal joints. (Wilke & Behringer, 2021) When this happens, many people will start to experience referred muscle pain in their bodies, causing issues with their mobility, flexibility, and stability. Coincidentally, muscle pain can also be a symptom of many people who have various pains in their bodies that have impacted their lives prior; seeking treatment can reduce the effects of muscle pain and help them take back their routine to lead a healthier lifestyle. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
For women experiencing lower back and pelvic pain, could understanding symptoms help in the diagnostic process, treatment options, and prevention? Low Back and Pelvic Pain In Women In women, lower back and hip pain that radiates to the front pelvis area can have a variety of causes. The pain can feel dull, sharp, or burning. The main causes of lower back and pelvic pain in women fall into two categories. (William S. Richardson, et al., 2009) Musculoskeletal and nervous system - Related causes of pain affect how your muscles, nerves, ligaments, joints, and bones move.
- Examples include sciatica, arthritis, and injury.
Other organ system-based Causes may stem from the following: - Acute/chronic conditions or infections
- Kidneys - stones, infection, and other ailments or conditions.
- Reproductive system - such as the ovaries.
- Gastrointestinal system - inguinal hernias or appendix.
Musculoskeletal and Nervous System Causes Musculoskeletal and nervous system-related causes can be from injuries like a fall or practicing unhealthy posture. Overuse Injuries and Trauma Frequent use and repetitive movements can lead to overuse injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and joints. : - Exercises, sports, and physical activities that require repetitive twisting and bending.
- Lifting, carrying, and placing objects that require movements that are repeated regularly.
- Trauma from vehicle collisions, accidents, falls, or sports accidents can inflict acute and chronic bodily injuries, like strained muscles or broken bones.
- Depending on the type of trauma, healing and recovery time and treatment vary.
- Both types of injuries can lead to numbness, tingling, pain, stiffness, popping sensations, and/or weakness in the legs.
Mobility Problems Over time, a decreased range of motion and mobility in muscles and joints can cause discomfort and pain. Causes include: - Long periods of time spent in the same position.
- Sitting for extended periods.
- The pain often feels dull, achy, and stiff.
- It can also lead to muscle spasms characterized by quick episodes of sharp and intense pain.
Posture - Posture while sitting, standing, and walking affects the body's range of motion.
- It can affect the nerves and blood circulation to the back and pelvic region.
- Prolonged unhealthy postures can contribute to lower back pain and muscle strain.
- Posture-related symptoms can feel achy and stiff and lead to quick episodes of severe or intense pain, depending on the position.
Sciatica and Nerve Compression - A bulging or herniating vertebral disc most commonly causes sciatica and pinched or compressed nerves.
- The sensations can be sharp, burning, electrical, and/or radiating pain along the nerve pathway.
Arthritis - Arthritis inflammation causes swelling, stiffness, pain, and the breakdown of cartilage that cushions the joints.
- Hip arthritis causes groin pain that can radiate to the back and becomes more intense when standing or walking.
- Thoracic and lumbar spine arthritis, or degenerative disc disease, are other common causes of back pain.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Renal and Urinary Causes Kidney Stones - Kidney stones are the build-up of minerals and salts, which form into hard stones in the kidneys.
- When the kidney stone begins to move to the bladder, pain symptoms will present.
- It can trigger severe back and side pain that radiates to the pelvic region.
- Other symptoms include - a change in urine color, pain when urinating, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney Infection and Urinary Tract Infections - Urinary tract and kidney infections are also causes of lower back and pelvic pain in women.
- They cause fever, continued urge to urinate, and painful urination.
Gynecological Causes Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Infections, known as pelvic inflammatory disease, occur when sexually transmitted bacteria spread through the vagina, womb, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. Symptoms include: - Pain during intercourse.
- Bleeding between periods.
- Vaginal discharge.
- Pain in the lower abdomen or groin.
- Fever.
Ovarian Cysts - The cyst can be a solid or fluid-filled sac on the surface or within an ovary.
- Small ovarian cysts are unlikely to cause pain.
- Large cysts or those that rupture can cause mild to severe pain.
- The pain can occur during menstruation or intercourse and present acutely in the back, pelvis, or lower abdomen.
During Pregnancy - Back pain and discomfort in the pelvis area are common.
- As the body adjusts, the bones and round ligaments in the pelvis move and stretch, which can cause discomfort.
- Symptoms are usually normal but should be discussed with a healthcare provider during check-ups.
- Pain in the lower back and groin can be a sign of miscarriage or labor - including preterm labor.
Sexually Transmitted Infection - Sexually transmitted infections, like chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause lower back and groin pain.
- Other symptoms can include - painful urination, vaginal discharge, intercourse pain, and bleeding between periods.
Yeast Infection - A yeast infection - overgrowth of the fungus candidiasis.
- A common vaginal infection with symptoms including - itching, swelling, irritation, and pelvic pain.
Other Causes Appendicitis - When the appendix becomes blocked, infected, and inflamed.
- In most cases, a major symptom is pain that starts near or around the belly button.
- In other cases, it can start in the lower back and radiate to the right side of the pelvic area. (Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2023)
- Associated pain can worsen over time or when coughing, moving, or taking deep breaths.
Other symptoms include: - Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Chills
- Abnormal bowel movements - constipation and/or diarrhea. (Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2023)
Inguinal Hernia - A groin hernia is referred to an inguinal hernia.
- It involves soft tissue and part of the intestine, pushing through weak groin muscles.
- Pain presents in the abdomen, lower back, or pelvis, especially when bending or lifting objects.
Pancreatitis - Inflammation in the pancreas.
- Infection, bile stones, or alcohol can cause it.
- One symptom is abdominal pain that radiates to the back.
- The pain becomes worse during and after eating.
- Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Enlarged Lymph Nodes - Lymph nodes lie in the internal and external regions of the iliac artery in the pelvis.
- These can become enlarged by infection, injury, and, in rare cases, cancer.
- Symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, skin irritation, and fever.
Enlarged Spleen - The spleen is located behind the left side of the rib cage.
- It filters the blood and supports new blood cell creation.
- Infections and diseases can cause the spleen to become enlarged.
- An enlarged spleen - a condition known as splenomegaly - causes pain in the upper left part of the belly and sometimes the left shoulder and upper back.
- However, some individuals with an enlarged spleen experience abdominal symptoms - not being able to eat without discomfort. (Mount Sinai. 2023)
Diagnosis - Depending on the cause of your pain, a healthcare provider may be able to diagnose it with a physical exam and by asking questions about your condition.
- Other tests may be needed to find the cause, particularly blood work and imaging (X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging).
Treatment - Treatment of symptoms depends on the cause.
- Once a diagnosis is made, an effective treatment plan will be developed and contain a combination of therapies:
Lifestyle Adjustments - For injuries caused by muscle strains, joint sprains, overuse, and smaller traumas, pain can be resolved with:
- Rest
- Ice therapy
- Over-the-counter pain relievers - acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Braces or compression wraps can help support the body and alleviate symptoms during healing and recovery.
- Exercises to improve posture
- Paying attention to form when lifting objects
- Stretching can help ease the pain.
Medication Medications can be used in a variety of ways to help in the treatment of lower back and pelvic pain. If an infection is the cause, medications will be prescribed to remove the infection and resolve the symptoms, which can include: - Antibiotics
- Antifungals
- Antivirals
Medications may also be prescribed to help manage pain symptoms and may include: - Medication to relieve nerve pain
- Muscle relaxants
- Steroids
Physical Therapy A physical therapist can help to correct problems with: - Posture
- Decreased mobility
- Walking gait
- Strengthening
- A physical therapist will provide exercises to help increase and maintain strength, range of motion, and flexibility.
Pelvic Floor Therapy - This is physical therapy that focuses on the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues in the pelvis.
- It helps with pain, weakness, and dysfunction in the pelvic area.
- A treatment plan will be developed to help with strength and range of motion in the pelvic muscles.
Chiropractic Care Surgery - Some more severe conditions could require surgery.
- Ovarian cysts, hernias, and other infections sometimes require surgery to remove infected or unhealthy tissue - ruptured ovarian cysts or appendicitis.
Recommended surgeries can include: - A hernia repair.
- Hip replacement.
- Gallbladder removal to prevent recurring pancreatitis.
Prevention Not all conditions and diseases cause lower back and pelvic pain. Symptoms can be prevented and reduced by adopting lifestyle changes. Prevention recommendations can include: - Staying hydrated.
- Using proper bending and lifting techniques.
- Eating healthy foods.
- Regularly engaging in some form of physical activity - walking, swimming, yoga, cycling, or strength training.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, don't hesitate to get in touch with Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Richardson, W. S., Jones, D. G., Winters, J. C., & McQueen, M. A. (2009). The treatment of inguinal pain. Ochsner journal, 9(1), 11–13. Kurosawa, D., Murakami, E., & Aizawa, T. (2017). Groin pain associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction and lumbar disorders. Clinical neurology and neurosurgery, 161, 104–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2017.08.018 Johns Hopkins Medicine. Appendicitis. Mount Sinai. Splenomegaly. Santilli, V., Beghi, E., & Finucci, S. (2006). Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations. The spine journal: official journal of the North American Spine Society, 6(2), 131–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2005.08.001
How can healthcare professionals provide a positive and safe approach for gender minority healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community? Introduction In an ever-changing world, it can be challenging to find available treatments for body pain disorders that can impact a person’s daily routine. These body pain disorders can range from acute to chronic, depending on the location and severity. For many individuals, this can cause unnecessary stress when going in for a routine check-up with their primary doctors. However, individuals in the LGBTQ+ community are often thrown under by not being seen and heard when treated for their pain and discomfort. This, in turn, causes many problems for both the individual and the medical professional themselves when getting a routine check-up. However, there are numerous positive ways for LGBTQ+ community individuals to seek inclusive gender minority healthcare for their ailments. Today’s article will explore gender minorities and the protocols for creating an inclusive gender minority healthcare environment safely and positively for all individuals. Additionally, we communicate with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to reduce any general pain and disorders a person may have. We also encourage our patients to ask amazing educational questions for our associated medical providers about their referred pain correlating with any diseases they may have while providing an inclusive gender minority healthcare environment. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an educational service. Disclaimer What Is Gender Minority? Are you or your loved ones dealing with muscle aches and strains after an excruciatingly long day at work? Have you been dealing with constant stress that stiffens your neck and shoulders? Or do you feel like your ailments are affecting your daily routine? Often, many individuals in the LGBTQ+ community are researching and looking for the right care for their ailments that best suits their wants and needs when seeking treatment. Gender minority healthcare is one of the important aspects of the LGBTQ+ community for individuals seeking the treatment they deserve. When it comes to creating an inclusive, safe, and positive healthcare environment, it is highly important to understand what “gender” and “minority are being defined as. Gender, as we all know, is how the world and society view a person’s sex, like male and female. A minority is defined as a person being different from the rest of the community or the group that they are in. A gender minority is defined as a person whose identity is other than the conventional gender normality many people associate with. For LGBTQ+ individuals who identify as a gender minority, it can be stressful and aggravating when seeking treatment for any ailments or for just a general check-up. This can cause many LGBTQ+ individuals to experience a high rate of discrimination in the healthcare setting that often correlates to poor health outcomes and delays when seeking care treatment. (Sherman et al., 2021) This can create a negative environment in the healthcare setting as many LGBTQ+ individuals deal with unnecessary stress and barriers to accessing inclusive healthcare. Here at the Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine clinic, we are dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and positive space that offers dedicated care for the LGBTQ+ community by using gender-neutral terms, asking important questions, and building a trusting relationship in every visit. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
Introduction Dealing with pain in muscles can cause multiple risks, leading to disability and unhappy life. Environmental factors play a role in shaping a person’s health and wellness journey. Eating habits, sleeping patterns, and physical activity levels affect the muscles, tissues, joints, and vital organs, all essential for a healthy body. However, pathogens and environmental factors can cause chronic conditions, challenging the body’s functioning. Fortunately, various treatments can reduce musculoskeletal pain and help revitalize the body. This article will discuss traction therapy and spinal decompression and how they can help alleviate musculoskeletal pain. We utilize and incorporate valuable information about our patients to certified medical providers using non-surgical treatments like traction therapy and spinal decompression to relieve musculoskeletal pain. We encourage and refer patients to associated medical providers based on their findings while supporting that education is a remarkable and fantastic way to ask our providers the essential questions at the patient’s acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., comprises this information as an educational service. Disclaimer What Is Traction Therapy? Are you experiencing referred pain in different parts of your body that seem connected? Are your muscles feeling tight or strained? Or have you noticed that you’re hunching over more than usual? If you’re dealing with musculoskeletal pain related to these issues, consider incorporating non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression and traction therapy to alleviate the pain. Research studies have revealed that traction therapy is a commonly used conservative treatment for reducing musculoskeletal pain along the spine. This therapy also reduces pain and relieves pressure on the spinal disc and nerves while restoring joint function. Physical therapists, massage therapists, and chiropractors frequently use traction therapy by applying gentle force to stretch and elongate soft tissues while restoring spine mobility. Traction therapy is known to be effective in treating musculoskeletal disorders such as herniated discs, sciatica, and referred musculoskeletal pain. How Does It Help Musculoskeletal Pain? When environmental factors cause pain issues in the body, they can cause damage to the spine, leading to muscles, spinal discs, and nerves compensating for the pain. This can result in referred pain in various body parts. Pain specialists use traction therapy to reduce the effects of musculoskeletal pain. Research indicates that technological changes and living standards can cause musculoskeletal pain and weaken muscle groups. Combined with non-invasive techniques, traction therapy can improve the body’s kinetic function by correcting spinal subluxation, rehydrating, and restoring the spinal disc. It can also help treat chronic musculoskeletal conditions related to spinal subluxation caused by musculoskeletal pain. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
The function of the arm is to allow for movement of the wrist and hand. Various muscles initiate the arm's actions, large muscles flex and extend, pronate and supinate, and the more sensitive muscles allow fine motor control. Lifting capacity and grip strength come from the arm muscles, making them essential for all types of activities. Because of the many functions and jobs the hands and arms do, added stress is placed on them. Arm discomfort symptoms, radiating pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling are common conditions. Chiropractic care can relieve injury symptoms and restore mobility and function. Arm Discomfort Symptoms The muscles of the upper arm, the biceps, and the triceps, control the movement and positioning of the elbow joint, and the muscles of the forearm control the wrist and hand. There are 30 bones from the top of the arm to the tip of the finger that include: - The humerus in the upper arm.
- Ulna and radius in the forearm.
- Carpal bones in the wrist.
- Metacarpals and phalanges make up the hand and fingers.
- The joints allow movement between the bones and are stabilized by ligaments and joint capsules.
Symptoms Discomfort or Radiation Symptoms vary based on the severity of the injury but commonly include. - Arm range of motion decreased.
- Stiffness.
- Tightness.
- Pain.
- Tenderness.
- Edema during activity.
- Muscle weakness.
- Numbness and tingling in the elbow, forearm, or hand can develop.
- Pain sensations often radiate to other areas.
Causes Individuals that work with their hands related to work, home tasks, sports, or hobby activities, such as construction workers, hair stylists, store cashiers, graphic artists, automotive technicians, carpenters, painters, butchers, and more, have an increased risk of injury and developing chronic conditions. Work that involves manually cutting, writing, typing, gripping, operating motorized tools, hair clippers, working with animals, etc., makes the arms susceptible to injury from the constant stress on the ligaments. Common overuse injuries affecting the upper extremity include: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome - These conditions involve the nerves of the forearm.
- Prolonged or repetitive bending or flexing of the wrist or elbow can generate swelling pressure that compresses the nerve/s.
- Symptoms include numbness, coldness, tingling, and/or weakness in the hand and fingers.
Tennis, Golfer, and Pitcher Elbow - These conditions involve the inflammation of the tendon structures surrounding the elbow joint.
- Repeating the same motion over and over causes damage.
- This leads to tenderness and pain inside and surrounding the elbow.
De Quervain's Tendinosis - Tendinosis refers to inflammation of the tendons.
- De Quervain’s syndrome affects tendon structure in the wrist.
- Swelling near the base of the thumb.
- Individuals have difficulty grasping objects.
- This is common for landscapers, gardeners, and sports where constant gripping is involved.
Tendonitis - Tendons attach muscles and bones
- The condition causes tendon inflammation, presenting pain in the area around single or multiple joints.
- Common types include wrist tendonitis, pitcher’s shoulder, and swimmer’s shoulder.
Tendon Tears - Overuse and frequent stress from continuous motion can wear tendons to the point of partial or complete tearing.
- Rotator cuff tears in the shoulder are often caused by overuse wearing down.
Chiropractic Treatment Chiropractic and massage therapy can rehabilitate arm injuries, restore function and reduce arm discomfort symptoms. Treatment includes: - Ice or heat treatment.
- Manual therapy - soft tissue massage and trigger point alleviation.
- Joint mobilization.
- Taping or bracing support.
- Rehabilitation targeted exercises.
- Work and sports modification training.
- Training on upper extremity overuse, practicing caution, and knowing when to seek professional medical help.
General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, don't hesitate to get in touch with Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Bass, Evelyn. “Tendinopathy: why the difference between tendinitis and tendinosis matters.” International Journal of therapeutic massage & Bodywork vol. 5,1 (2012): 14-7. doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v5i1.153 Cutts, S et al. “Tennis elbow: A clinical review article.” Journal of Orthopaedics vol. 17 203-207. 10 Aug. 2019, doi:10.1016/j.jor.2019.08.005 Hoe, Victor C W, et al. “Ergonomic design and training for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb and neck in adults.” The Cochrane Database of systematic reviews vol. 2012,8 CD008570. 15 Aug. 2012, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008570.pub2 Konijnenberg, H S et al. “Conservative treatment for repetitive strain injury.” Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health vol. 27,5 (2001): 299-310. doi:10.5271/sjweh.618 Luger, Tessy, et al. “Work-break schedules for preventing musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders in healthy workers.” The Cochrane Database of systematic reviews vol. 7,7 CD012886. 23 Jul. 2019, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012886.pub2 Pitzer, Michael E et al. “Elbow tendinopathy.” The Medical Clinics of North America vol. 98,4 (2014): 833-49, xiii. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2014.04.002 Verhagen, Arianne P et al. “Conservative interventions for treating work-related complaints of the arm, neck or shoulder in adults.” The Cochrane Database of systematic reviews vol. 2013,12 CD008742. 12 Dec. 2013, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008742.pub2 Zaremski, Jason L et al. “Sport Specialization and Overuse Injuries in Adolescent Throwing Athletes: A Narrative Review.” Journal of athletic training vol. 54,10 (2019): 1030-1039. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-333-18
The legs are important for standing and motion. Various problems can affect any part, including the bones, tendons, joints, blood vessels, and connective tissues of the entire leg, foot, ankle, knee, or hip. Common problems include unbalanced/unevenness, muscle sprains and strains, joint dislocations, nerve compression, and fractures. These issues can benefit from chiropractic leg adjustments to relieve the symptoms, realign the body, restore mobility, strengthen the muscles, and prevent further complications. Leg Adjustments The legs are composed of two major sections: upper and lower. The ball-and-socket hip joint connects the upper portion, with only one bone comprising the upper leg, the femur, the largest bone in the body. The lower leg goes from the knee to the ankle and is composed of two bones, the fibula, and the tibia. - The tibia makes up the knee together with the base of the femur.
- The fibula starts from the knee joint and is connected to the tibia.
Muscles The leg muscles support standing and sitting, carry the body's weight, and provide movement. Several muscles in the upper and lower legs work together to enable walking, running, jumping, flexing, and pointing the toes. Upper Leg The upper leg muscles support the body's weight and movement. Their jobs include: - Anterior muscles: These muscles stabilize the body and help with balance. They also allow:
- Bending and extension of the knees.
- Flexion of the thigh at the hip joints.
- Rotation of the legs at the hips.
- Medial muscles assist in hip adduction - moving the leg toward the body's center. They also allow flexion, extension, and rotation of the thigh.
- Posterior muscles help move the leg from front to back and rotate at the hip socket.
Lower Leg - Anterior muscles are in the front/anterior part of the lower leg and help lift and lower the foot and toe extension.
- Lateral muscles run outside the lower leg and stabilize the foot when walking or running. They also allow side-to-side movement.
- Posterior muscles: These muscles are in the back of the lower leg. Some are superficial (close to the skin surface), and some sit deeper inside the leg. They help:
- Flex and point the toes.
- Jump, run and push off.
- Lock and unlock the knee.
- Maintain a healthy posture by stabilizing the legs.
- Stand up straight by supporting the arch of the feet.
Causes There are different causes of leg discomfort symptoms. Age, work, physical activity, sports, and misalignments can all cause leg issues to develop. Musculoskeletal - Musculoskeletal system injuries, conditions, and disorders are related to the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This includes bruising, tendonitis, muscle strain, overuse, and fractures can all lead to musculoskeletal issues.
Neurological - Neurological symptoms are related to a problem with the nerves and the nervous system. Damaged and pinched nerves can contribute to leg issues.
Vascular - If there are blood vessel issues, it can also lead to leg symptoms. Depending on the cause, leg symptoms can vary from moderate to severe and may be non-stop or come and go.
Symptoms Symptoms typically include: - Muscle weakness.
- Muscle stiffness.
- Muscle tightness.
- A feeling of tiredness and heaviness in the legs.
- Decreased range of motion.
- Difficulty in walking or moving the legs.
- Leg cramps.
- Tenderness.
- Pain that may be dull or sharp.
- Pain that gets worse as time goes on.
- Bruising.
- Swelling.
- Tingling sensations.
- Numbness.
- Complete loss of sensation.
- Edema - fluid retention.
- Physical deformity of the legs.
Chiropractic Adjustments Chiropractic care is a proven way of reducing swelling and discomfort throughout the body. Chiropractic leg adjustments help release restrictions and misalignments. This results in increased mobility of the joints, decreased inflammation, and improved function. A chiropractic adjustment on the leg is known as a long-axis distraction adjustment. This adjustment is designed to open the affected joint in the direction the chiropractor pulls. They can adjust their contact to open the femur from the acetabulum of the pelvis, the knee joint, the ankle joints, and the low back. This encourages proper joint space and motion in the affected areas, promoting healthy movement and space and allowing more nutrient flow and pressure removal from the surrounding nerves to help with symptom relief. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, don't hesitate to get in touch with Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Binstead JT, Munjal A, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis, and Lower Limb, Calf. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459362/) [Updated 2020 Aug 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Accessed 12/29/2021. Eid K, Tafas E, Mylonas K, Angelopoulos P, Tsepis E, Fousekis K. Treatment of the trunk and lower extremities with Ergon® IASTM technique can increase hamstrings flexibility in amateur athletes: A randomized control study. Phys Ther Sport. 2017;28:e12. doi:10.1016/J.PTSP.2017.08.038 Jeno SH, Schindler GS. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis, and Lower Limb, Thigh Adductor Magnus Muscles. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534842/) [Updated 2020 Aug 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Accessed 12/29/2021. McGee S. Stance and gait. In: McGee S. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 6. Ransom AL, Sinkler MA, Nallamothu SV. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis, and Lower Limb, Femoral Muscles. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500008/) [Updated 2020 Oct 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Accessed 12/29/2021. Thompson PD Nutt JG. Gait disorders. In: Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 22. Young G. Leg cramps (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4429847/) BMJ Clinical Evidence. 2015 May 13;2015:1113. Accessed 12/29/2021.
The spine is the body's central highway, with the spinal canal as the main lane that handles all the traffic. There are entrances and exits, or spinal cavities, that allow the nerves to branch off the spinal cord and run throughout the body. A traffic jam develops during lane closures, accidents, or construction at an entrance or exit. Lateral recess stenosis causes the narrowing of the spine's lateral recess/Lee's entrance, which can compress nerves, impede nerve circulation, and cause painful symptoms. Lateral Recess Stenosis The spinal column provides a strong and flexible structure for the spinal cord. The nerves travel from the spinal cord through various openings and passageways to the rest of the body. One of the openings is known as the lateral recess. Stenosis means narrowing. When a lateral recess in a vertebra develops stenosis, the nerve in that area can get jammed/pinched with no room to move, causing varying symptoms and sensations. Symptoms Depending on where the stenosis is taking place (neck, middle or low back), common symptoms of lateral recess stenosis can include: - Back pain that can spread out to other areas.
- Cramping that can spread out to other sites.
- Radiating pain that worsens with movement and eases with rest.
- Numbness or weakness of the legs or arms.
- Electrical tingling sensations down the leg or arm.
Causes The National Institute of Health lists the major causes: Natural Wear and Tear - Natural aging with gradual degeneration remains the most common cause of stenosis.
Congenital - Born With Stenosis Disease Natural Aging Process Traumatic Injury - Automobile crashes and accidents
- Work Injuries
- Sports injuries
Treatment Lateral recess stenosis has no current cure, but there are options to treat stenosis symptoms. Chiropractic and Physical Therapy - A chiropractic physical therapy team can relieve symptoms, restore function, and strengthen the muscles.
- Muscle groups around the stenosis area are built up to take the pressure off of the area, alleviating symptoms.
Medications - A doctor or spine specialist may recommend or prescribe medication to ease symptoms. These include:
- Tylenol - acetaminophen.
- NSAIDS - Advil/ibuprofen or Aleve/naproxen.
- Muscle relaxers
Steroid Injections - According to a study, neurogenic claudication is the main reason for disability and loss of independence in the elderly.
- Neurogenic claudication describes pain and weakness in the buttocks and legs during physical activity that originates from the nerves, not the vessels.
- This can happen from inflammation and swelling around a compressed nerve.
- A steroid injection can decrease inflammation for several months.
Surgery If activity modification, NSAIDs, bracing, and physical therapy don't work or provide adequate relief, a doctor or specialist could recommend surgery. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References American College of Rheumatology (n.d.) “Spinal Stenosis” https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Spinal-Stenosis Arthritis Foundation (n.d.) “Corticosteroids” https://www.arthritis.org/drug-guide/corticosteroids/corticosteroids Drug Design, Development and Therapy (2014) “Steroid for epidural injection in spinal stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis” https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S78070 Lee, Seung Yeop, et al. “Lumbar Stenosis: A Recent Update by Review of Literature.” Asian spine journal vol. 9,5 (2015): 818-28. doi:10.4184/asj.2015.9.5.818 Liu, Kuan, et al. “Steroid for epidural injection in spinal stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Drug design, development, and therapy vol. 9 707-16. Jan 30, 2015, doi:10.2147/DDDT.S78070 Medline Plus (n.d.) “Achondroplasia” https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/achondroplasia/ Microspine (n.d.) “Endoscopic Decompression” https://www.microspinemd.com/microspine-surgery/endoscopic-decompression/ National Institutes of Health (n.d.) “Spinal Stenosis” https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/spinal-stenosis Northwest Medical Center (2022) “Lateral Recess/Foraminal Stenosis” https://nw-mc.com/lateral-recessforaminal-stenosis/ NSPC Brain and Spine Surgery (n.d.) Lateral Recess Stenosis https://nspc.com/lateral-recess-stenosis/ Raja A, Hoang S, Patel P, et al. Spinal Stenosis. [Updated 2022 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441989/
Health care should not be subpar; with so many choices, advertisements, reviews, word of mouth, etc., finding quality health care can be challenging. This can be a physician, dentist, nutritionist, or chiropractor. How to know when a top chiropractic team is treating you? When Chiropractic Care Is Necessary Individuals wonder when they should see a chiropractor. Signs and symptoms that could indicate you should see a chiropractor include: - Trouble standing, walking, bending, or performing daily activities.
- Discomfort or pain when sitting or lying down.
- Headaches.
- Neck pain.
- Shoulder, arm, or hand tingling or pain.
- Back pain.
- Hip pain.
- Pain that runs down one or both legs.
- Knee pain.
- Foot problems like numbness, tingling, or pain.
Top Chiropractic Team A top chiropractic team will harmoniously perform their jobs; even with obstacles, they will get it done. They will communicate effectively with each other and the patients, explain the whole process, provide personalized treatments and not a one size fits all approach, and value the patients' time. Communication Communication is vital for individuals to understand and have confidence in their personalized treatment plan. - The chiropractor and supporting staff will ensure the patient understands what will happen and how it will affect their injury/condition.
- The doctor and staff will continually ask how you are doing.
- The team's ultimate goals are to get the healing process activated and the patient's satisfaction.
Offered Multiple Treatment Options Spinal adjustments are not the only thing individuals should think of when considering treatment. Multiple treatment approaches have been found to achieve the best results when dealing with musculoskeletal conditions and disorders. The chiropractor will discuss and offer specific treatment options that can include: - Massage
- Chiropractic Adjustments
- Physical Rehabilitation
- Stretches and Exercises
- Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
- Traction therapy
- Health Coaching
- Nutrition recommendations
Patient's Time A top chiropractic clinic doesn't feel like the doors are just revolving with patients rushing in and out like a grocery store. - Every patient's appointment is their time with:
- A detailed consultation
- Therapeutic prep-massage to loosen muscles and joints before the adjustments.
- Thorough chiropractic adjustments
- After-care patient questions - The chiropractor or staff will take the time to answer all your questions and not waste your time waiting around.
- Recommended stretching exercises
- Body analysis
- Nutritional advice
Treatments Are Working Chiropractic care can take some time to treat, rehabilitate, and heal the injury or condition. - The treatments work, and you see and feel the progress.
- You can move around without fear of triggering pain.
- Your confidence grows in yourself and the team.
- If treatment is not working or producing lasting results, the chiropractor will refer you to another medical professional.
- A top chiropractic team wants the best medical treatment for each patient, even if they cannot provide it.
Patient Satisfaction When treated by a top chiropractic team from the front desk, patient care coordinator, massage therapists, nutritionist, and clinic manager, the overall experience is positive and pleasant; you can feel the difference and leave exhilarated. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Clijsters, Mattijs et al. "Chiropractic treatment approaches for spinal musculoskeletal conditions: a cross-sectional survey." Chiropractic & manual therapies vol. 22,1 33. 1 Oct. 2014, doi:10.1186/s12998-014-0033-8 Eriksen, K., Rochester, R.P. & Hurwitz, E.L. Symptomatic reactions, clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction associated with upper cervical chiropractic care: A prospective, multicenter, cohort study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 12, 219 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-12-219 Gary Gaumer, Factors Associated With Patient Satisfaction With Chiropractic Care: Survey and Review of the Literature,
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Volume 29, Issue 6, 2006, Pages 455-462, ISSN 0161-4754, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2006.06.013 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161475406001588) Kerns, R.D., Krebs, E.E. & Atkins, D. Making Integrated Multimodal Pain Care a Reality: A Path Forward. J GEN INTERN MED 33, 1–3 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-018-4361-6 Pribicevic, M., Pollard, H. A multi-modal treatment approach for the shoulder: A 4 patient case series. Chiropr Man Therap 13, 20 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1340-13-20
A viscerosomatic response or VSR is when the internal organs are going through some distress, illness, or injury, causing pain symptoms. An example is the right shoulder presenting with pain when the gall bladder is inflamed. The pain signals are transmitted through the spinal cord, and the muscles in the area could spasm, creating sensitivity or pain when touched. However, viscerosomatic pain is often not worsened or changed by bending, reaching, or twisting in different directions causing musculoskeletal/MSK pain. Without a thorough exam, it's easy to confuse a VSR with an MSK or basic back ache. Individuals may sometimes feel visceral pain more through emotional symptoms like anger, anguish, or sadness than physical discomfort. Causation varies for everybody and can overlap with underlying conditions. Causation The visceral organs' pain receptors are not as tightly packed or evenly spread out, which makes finding the pain's source challenging to pinpoint. The most common causes include: Inflammation A process of the body's white blood cells protecting the body from infections, bacteria, and viruses. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system reacts as if normal tissues are infected or have changed and attacks them causing damage. But in some conditions, like arthritis, the body's immune system triggers inflammation despite no infections, bacteria, or viruses. When inflammation activates, chemicals from the body's white blood cells enter the blood or tissues to protect the body raising the blood flow to the injured or infected area. Symptoms include: - Redness
- Heat
- Irritation
- Chemicals can cause fluid to leak into the tissues.
- Swelling
- Pain
The symptoms depend on which organs are affected. Examples include: - Inflammation of the heart/myocarditis can cause shortness of breath and/or fluid buildup.
- Inflammation of the tiny tubes in the respiratory system can cause shortness of breath.
- Inflammation of the kidneys/nephritis can cause high blood pressure and/or kidney failure.
Circulatory Issues Decreased blood circulation can strain areas of the body. The body pulls oxygen into the lungs that enter the blood. It travels throughout the body through blood vessels, veins, and arteries. If circulation becomes obstructed or gets stopped, a severe problem called ischemia can develop. This means areas of the body are not getting enough blood and enough oxygen. Ischemia usually originates from a buildup, blockage in the arteries, or a blood clot. Atherosclerosis is plaque, a hard, sticky substance made mostly of fat that collects in the arteries. It builds up slowly over time and can harden and narrow the arteries slowing down blood flow because the blood has less space to circulate. Swelling/Stretching Organs Swelling occurs when excess fluids are trapped in the body's tissues, which can cause the affected organs to enlarge and stretch. Swelling can be internal or external. Internal swelling is usually caused by: Menstrual Cramps Menstrual cramps are throbbing, aching cramps experienced in the lower stomach just before and during a woman's monthly period. They can range from mild to severe but are common and can strike right before and/or during the menstrual cycle. Some women can experience dysmenorrhea. Symptoms include: - Aching in the stomach
- Pressure in the stomach
- Constipation
- Pain in the hips, low back, and inner thighs.
Severe cramp symptoms can include: - Upset stomach
- Loose stools
- Vomiting
Cysts and Tumors - Cysts and/or tumors in the pelvic or abdomen region can cause distress, irritation, inflammation, swelling, and pain viscerosomatic and musculoskeletal.
Chiropractic Causation Diagnosis There is a connection between the spinal nerves and internal organ function. Internal organs connect to the brain through the spinal cord and nerve ganglia plexuses. The organs cannot function properly if the transmitted signals are interrupted or blocked. A chiropractor uses manual and mechanized manipulation to realign the spine. Chiropractic treatment diagnoses causation, restores joint function, eliminates pain, and prevents further injury, preventing degeneration and slowing disease processes in bone, muscle, and organs. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, or licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Bath M, Owens J. Physiology, Viscerosomatic Reflexes. [Updated 2022 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559218/ Berrueta, Lisbeth, et al. "Stretching Impacts Inflammation Resolution in Connective Tissue." Journal of cellular physiology vol. 231,7 (2016): 1621-7. doi:10.1002/jcp.25263 Carver AC, Foley KM. Types of Pain. In: Kufe DW, Pollock RE, Weichselbaum RR, et al., editors. Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine. 6th edition. Hamilton (ON): BC Decker; 2003. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK12991/ Sikandar, Shafaq, and Anthony H Dickenson. "Visceral pain: the ins and outs, the ups and downs." Current opinion in supportive and palliative care vol. 6,1 (2012): 17-26. doi:10.1097/SPC.0b013e32834f6ec9
Dehydration affects the body physically and mentally but also affects the health of the spine's discs. Spinal discs that lack proper hydration begin to compress, collapse between vertebrae, or cannot refill correctly, causing further compression and increasing the risk of spinal injury. Dehydrated discs can cause injuries like herniated disc/s, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. Chiropractic treatment offers spinal decompression that will restretch and realign the spine allowing the injury/s to heal and proper disc rehydration. Spine Support As crucial as the spine is within daily activities, it is vital to understand its mechanics. The spinal vertebrae discs work to absorb shock when bending, twisting, or flexing to ensure the bones do not rub together. Within each disc is the nucleus pulposus, made up of 85 percent water that provides movement when the spine rotates and moves in various directions. This high water content in the discs helps the spine function. The discs naturally lose some water as the body ages, but dehydration can also occur when individuals do not intake enough water from drinking or in food. If the dehydration is severe, the risk of injury increases or can aggravate existing spine conditions. The loss of hydration in an adult spine can cause a loss of disc height daily. Without proper rehydration, other medical issues can begin to present. Symptoms Depending on which discs are affected, the pain or numbness can travel from the neck into the shoulders, arms, and hands or from the lower back down through the legs. Symptoms can include: - Back stiffness
- Burning or tingling sensations
- Reduced or painful movement
- Back pain
- Weakness
- Numbness in the low back, legs, or feet
- Changes in knee and foot reflexes
- Sciatica
When the body is dehydrated, it can be difficult to replenish the water in the discs thoroughly, as well as nutrient levels through a consistent loss of fluid. Dehydration disrupts the balance which can lead to an increased risk of injury and increased degeneration. Causes of disc dehydration include: - Trauma from an auto accident, fall, work, or sports injury.
- Repeated strain on the back from consistent lifting, reaching, bending, twisting, etc.
- Sudden weight loss can cause the body, including the discs, to lose fluid.
- Ankylosing spondylitis.
Spinal Rehydration The entire body relies on proper hydration with direct water consumption to rehydrate the body but also incorporating fruits and vegetables to aid in hydration. These foods include: - Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
These foods are made of more than 90% water and contain essential nutrients and help the spine function more efficiently. Proper water consumption is based on age, body size, and activity level. However, to fully heal desiccated discs, spinal injuries, or back pain, chiropractic decompression, and manipulation adjustments are recommended. Non-surgical motorized spinal decompression treatment is gentle. The therapy lengthens and decompresses the spine reversing the pressure within the damaged disc/s creating an intradiscal vacuum that relieves the pressure off the nerve and helps reshape and rehydrate the damaged disc/s. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, or licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Djurasovic, Mladen, et al. “The influence of preoperative MRI findings on lumbar fusion clinical outcomes.” The European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society vol. 21,8 (2012): 1616-23. doi:10.1007/s00586-012-2244-9 Karki, D B et al. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Lumbar Disc Degeneration in Symptomatic Patients.” Journal of Nepal Health Research Council vol. 13,30 (2015): 154-9. Twomey, L T, and J R Taylor. “Age changes in lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs.” Clinical Orthopedics and related research,224 (1987): 97-104. Videman, Tapio et al. “Age- and pathology-specific measures of disc degeneration.” Spine vol. 33,25 (2008): 2781-8. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e31817e1d11
Chiropractic is a form of neuromusculoskeletal care that repairs and re-optimizes the nervous system that helps to relieve tension, inflammation, pain and restore body health. Like any piece of machinery that requires regular maintenance to operate correctly without issues, so too is the body an exquisite machine that needs regular maintenance. Treatment restores and maintains optimal function to the nervous system, muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Neuromusculoskeletal Care Central Nervous System - CNS - The Central Nervous System or CNS is the body's computer.
- It processes functions in the body and mind.
- It s made up of the brain and spinal cord.
- It helps process external information through sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.
- The CNS interprets sensory information that goes through the spinal cord to the brain, and the body responds accordingly.
- It controls voluntary movements like walking, talking, exercising.
- It controls involuntary movements like blinking, breathing, digestion.
- It allows thoughts, emotions, and perceptions to be created and expressed.
When the Central Nervous System works correctly, the body is coordinated, all senses send and receive information effectively, and cognition/thinking is clear. Peripheral Nervous System - PNS - The Peripheral Nervous System or PNS transmits signals from the outside to the Central Nervous System.
- The PNS is comprised of all the nerve bundles that run throughout the body.
- The PNS is responsible for transmitting information back and forth from the CNS to the rest of the body by electrical impulses and current.
When the PNS is functioning correctly, and there is thorough nerve circulation throughout the body, there are no issues like numbness, weakness, pain, and digestion is in top form. Enteric Nervous System - ENS - The Enteric Nervous System or ENS is a branch of the peripheral nervous system that signals the digestive system.
- It comprises nerves that stretch across the entire gastrointestinal tract.
- It allows the nervous system to communicate with the digestive tract and regulate activity.
- It can stop the digestive process when the body is under stress or strain, i.e., fight or flight response.
- Chronic stress can create dysfunction in the digestive system.
- Inflammation and stress can cause the enteric system to disrupt and cause digestive problems.
Pain Relief Body pain can be an indication of an imbalance in the nervous system. Misalignment from work, home activities, trauma, injury, or posture problems, a subluxation/misalignment can turn into discomfort that leads to pain and neuromusculoskeletal system issues. Pain in the neuromusculoskeletal system can result from spinal misalignment and a shifting skeletal structure. The joints and misaligned bones compress the surrounding nerves and tissue, causing inflammation that results in pain symptoms. This causes the muscular system to compensate for the lack of stability support from the skeletal structure causing awkward body posturing. A chiropractor realigns the spinal structure, removing the compression/pressure from the nerves, tissues, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Chiropractic Medicine The nervous system is highly responsive to chiropractic care because of chiropractic's focus on the spine, which restores and rejuvenates. Chiropractic medicine and a properly aligned spine: - Reduces and eliminates pain.
- Reduces and eliminates headaches and migraines.
- Improves balance and coordination.
- Improves digestive function.
- Improves quality of sleep.
- Increases energy.
- Increases flexibility and mobility.
- Enhances cognition and clear thinking.
General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Goudman, Lisa et al. "The Link Between Spinal Cord Stimulation and the Parasympathetic Nervous System in Patients With Failed Back Surgery Syndrome." Neuromodulation: journal of the International Neuromodulation Society vol. 25,1 (2022): 128-136. doi:10.1111/ner.13400 Gyer, Giles et al. "Spinal manipulation therapy: Is it all about the brain? A current review of the neurophysiological effects of manipulation." Journal of integrative medicine vol. 17,5 (2019): 328-337. doi:10.1016/j.joim.2019.05.004 Millet, Guillaume Y et al. "The role of the nervous system in neuromuscular fatigue induced by ultra-endurance exercise." Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme vol. 43,11 (2018): 1151-1157. doi:10.1139/apnm-2018-0161 Stoll, T et al. “Physiotherapie bei lumbaler Diskushernie” [Physiotherapy in lumbar disc herniation ]. Therapeutische Umschau. Revue therapeutique vol. 58,8 (2001): 487-92. doi:10.1024/0040-5930.58.8.487
Orthopedic massage is part of injury rehabilitation that focuses on the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the joints and ligaments. Pain could be caused post-surgery, an acute injury, or overuse/repetitive motion injury from work or sports. The objective is to: - Decrease pain
- Release tension
- Restore balance
- Increase mobility and flexibility
- Preparing the body to return to everyday routines and activities.
Whatever the cause of the muscle damage or injury, an orthopedic massage will lengthen and soften the muscles and ligaments, allowing for a better range of motion of the affected joints. Orthopedic Massage All massage techniques can improve joint movement and function. Orthopedic massage is specifically designed to return the joints to their normal position function and alleviate pain with movement. - Swedish massage focuses on overall relaxation.
- Deep tissue massage reduces deep muscle pain and strain.
Orthopedic massage therapists have an extensive understanding of anatomy, soft tissues, and misalignment of the musculoskeletal system that can cause pain and injury. It is similar to sports massage targeting damaged areas for recovery and rehabilitation from conditions and injuries. Sports massage helps the individual strengthen and retrain the damaged areas back to optimal performance and prevent injury. Orthopedic massage utilizes: - Alignment techniques
- Release techniques
- Pin techniques
- Stretch techniques
- To expedite thorough body healing.
Massage benefits many symptoms and conditions. It has been shown to help with: - Sprains
- Pulled muscles
- Torn ligaments
- Carpal-tunnel syndrome
- Frozen shoulder
- Tennis elbow
- Tendinitis
- Sciatica
- Bulging discs
- Post-surgery
Techniques A therapist will look at the range of motion, flexibility, and rotation of the tissues. This will help determine what muscle groups and tendons are involved and which techniques to use. Massage therapists use an assortment of approaches to loosen muscles and tendons. These include: Active Engagement - This is used to reach deep, hard-to-reach muscles by applying pressure and massaging lengthwise in a perpendicular motion.
- It is beneficial for whiplash and/or back pain.
Positional Release - This is a gentle treatment for inflamed muscles and tissues highly sensitive to other techniques.
- Soft tissues are manipulated into comfortable positions and held in place for a specific time.
- This lengthens and softens tissues to bring pain relief.
Nerve Mobilization Muscle Energy Release - The therapist provides resistance while the individual voluntarily contracts muscles.
- Effective with low back pain.
Trigger Point Therapy - Pressure intervals are held on trigger areas to release lactic acid and promote circulation.
Myofascial Release - Gentle pressure is applied to stretch fascia tissues.
Brittle Bones The reason bones become weaker is that bone tissue is living tissue that constantly forms new bone material and absorbs the old bone material. As the body ages, the rate at which bone is reabsorbed becomes faster than newly formed bone material. One reason for rapid bone loss is lack of exercise and physical activity. The Mayo Clinic has stated that individuals that spend a great deal of time sitting, whether at home or work, have an increased risk of osteoporosis than more active individuals. Sitting too much with little to no activity can lead to weakened bones. Just like the muscles, bones get stronger when they are in use. Walking, running, jumping, and getting the body moving along with using some resistance, can increase the strength and durability of the bones. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Kim, Seung-Kook et al. “Clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of massage chair therapy versus basic physiotherapy in lower back pain patients: A randomized controlled trial.” Medicine vol. 99,12 (2020): e19514. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019514 Klein, Ifat et al. “Lymphatic treatments after orthopedic surgery or injury: A systematic review.” Journal of bodywork and movement therapies vol. 24,4 (2020): 109-117. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.06.034 Loew, Laurianne M et al. “Deep, transverse friction massage for treating lateral elbow or lateral knee tendinitis.” The Cochrane database of systematic reviews vol. 2014,11 CD003528. 8 Nov. 2014, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003528.pub2 Majewski-Schrage, Tricia, and Kelli Snyder. “The Effectiveness of Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Patients With Orthopedic Injuries.” Journal of sport rehabilitation vol. 25,1 (2016): 91-7. doi:10.1123/jsr.2014-0222
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